Kelley Blue Book names Chevrolet Malibu '2008 Best Redesigned Vehicle'

Irvine, California - Kelley Blue Book, a U.S. provider of new and used vehicle information, announced the Chevrolet Malibu as the winner of its "2008 Best Redesigned Vehicle" award. According to the kbb.com editorial team, the newly redesigned 2008 Chevrolet Malibu is being honored for taking the important mid-size car category to a new level of overall refinement. Specifically, its stylish sheetmetal, attractive interior, well-sorted ride-and-handling characteristics and quiet cabin -- all in a very affordable vehicle -- combined to produce a value equation that set it apart from the pack. More than 30 vehicles were redesigned for the 2008 model year. Kelley Blue Book's kbb.com editorial team reviewed the complete list to identify vehicles that demonstrated the greatest improvement relative to their predecessors and competitors. Factoring into the final decision were judgments on exterior and interior styling, technology, comfort and convenience features, performance/capability, driving dynamics, safety, fuel economy, overall refinement and value. A major factor contributing to the Malibu's 2008 win is the vehicle's market significance. "The 2008 Malibu solidified its case for kbb.com's '2008 Best Redesigned Vehicle' with a top-to-bottom, inside-and-out remake that's nothing less than game-changing," said Jack R. Nerad, executive editorial director and executive market analyst for Kelley Blue Book and kbb.com. "The new Malibu has earned its place at the top of one of the toughest and most competitive categories in the industry. It can take on any competitor head-to-head." Rounding out the top 10 finalists for kbb.com's "2008 Best Redesigned Vehicle" were (in alphabetical order) the Audi TT, Cadillac CTS, Honda Accord, Infiniti G37, Mercedes-Benz C-Class, Mitsubishi Lancer, Porsche Cayenne, Saturn Vue and Toyota Highlander.

Finalists named for 2008 North American Car and Truck of the Year Awards

Detroit, Michigan - The finalists for the 2008 North American Car of the Year and North American Truck of the Year have been announced, with General Motors taking four of the six slots. The awards are judged by a group of 46 automotive journalists from the U.S. and Canada. Finalists for Car of the Year are the Cadillac CTS, Chevrolet Malibu and Honda Accord, while Truck of the Year finalists are the Buick Enclave, Mazda CX-9 and Chevrolet Tahoe Hybrid. The awards are designed to recognize the most outstanding vehicles of the year, based on factors including innovation, design, safety, handling, driver satisfaction and value. To be eligible, vehicles must be all-new or substantially changed from the previous model. The six finalists were chosen from an initial list of more than 50 vehicles, which were voted down to 15 cars and 13 trucks. The Car of the Year finalists were chosen from the Audi TT, Audi A5/S5, Cadillac CTS, Chevrolet Malibu, Chrysler Town & Country, Dodge Grand Caravan, Honda Accord, Infiniti G37, Infiniti EX35, Mercedes-Benz C-Class, Nissan Altima Coupe, Scion xB, Smart Fortwo, Subaru Impreza/WRX and Volvo C30. Truck of the Year finalists were chosen from the Buick Enclave, Chevrolet Tahoe Hybrid, Hyundai Veracruz, Jeep Liberty, Jeep Patriot, Kia Rondo, Land Rover LR2, Mazda CX-9, Nissan Rogue, Saturn Vue, Toyota Highlander/Highlander Hybrid, Toyota Tundra and Volvo XC70. The 2007 awards were won by the Saturn Aura and Chevrolet Silverado

Every 2008 Subaru earns "Top Safety Pick" rating in crash tests

Mississauga, Ontario - Subaru Canada has announced that the U.S. Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) has designated every vehicle in the Subaru line-up as a "Top Safety Pick" when equipped with electronic stability control. The 2008 Impreza, Legacy/Outback and Tribeca all received the highest accolade from the IIHS. The Impreza recently became the first small car ever to be named a Top Safety Pick, largely because it offers Vehicle Dynamics Control as an option, and electronic stability control is now a requirement for a Top Safety Pick designation. "We commend Subaru for producing these vehicles, which meet the Institute's demanding Top Safety Pick criteria," said Adrian Lund, IIHS President. "This is an elite group of cars with outstanding crashworthiness."

Mercedes-Benz testing driver alertness warning system

Stuttgart, Germany - Mercedes-Benz has announced that it is in the final test phases of a new assistance system designed to warn a driver of tiredness and nodding off at the wheel. The system uses various sensors to analyze driving behaviour and recognize fatigue-related changes in the driver's personal driving style, and will prompt the driver to take a break. Once testing is complete, the system will go into series production in 2009. Mercedes-Benz says that official statistics cite fatigue as the reason behind one per cent of all serious traffic collisions, but that experts believe that the number of unattributed cases is significantly higher. According to European studies, 24 to 33 per cent of all fatal crashes involve over-tired drivers. Two-thirds of collisions caused by fatigue occur in the dark, half when there is little traffic around; scientists believe the risk is increased on long-distance journeys under unchanging conditions, which causes inattention and the risk of falling asleep. The Mercedes system evaluates a series of indicators to assess the driver's alertness and to recognize the gradual transition between being awake and being tired. Warnings will also depend on the time of day, trip duration and the individual's driving style. The system uses speed, acceleration, steering wheel angle, the way the indicators and pedals are used, certain driver control actions, and various external influences, such as a side wind or uneven road surface. If the system detects encroaching fatigue, it will give a warning sound and symbol in the instrument cluster.

25-year dealer John Chezik of Kansas City files for Chapter 7 bankruptcy protection resulting from a class-action law suit targeting dealership’s sales promises

A verdict handed down in May in a class-action suit representing thousands of Chezik’s customers resulted in a staggering and ultimately fatal $7.8 million judgment. In 1999 John Chezik Honda sold a 1995 Honda Accord to Keith and Deborah Shackelford. They also sold them a 3-year 36,000-mile service contract that came with a promise to refund the $1,000 cost of the contract if no claims were made against the policy. The problem arose when the Shackefords ultimately came back to claim their refund. According to the Kansas City Business Journal, John Chizek Honda then told the customers that they would not get a refund, but a credit toward the purchase of another vehicle. The dealership ultimately offered to issue the refund in this case, but refused to pay legal and other costs associated with the Shackleford’s pressing of the case. The result was a class-action law suit involving thousands of Chizek customers and the massive $7.8 million judgment. The Chezik dealerships have since been sold, so no active dealership franchises or their assets are involved. However, Chezik’s remaining corporate entity was forced to seek bankruptcy as the only option left according to the dealership’s attorney. The list of creditors is reported to be 1,758 pages long. During the trial it is reported that Chezik contended that the refund guarantees were the result of over-zealous F&I staff and that he was unaware of the promises being made. However, court proceedings showed that the Chezik was involved in the decision making and had actively encouraged the practice at this dealership and at his other locations.